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Continue reading →: Reflecting on Derek Tran’s Congressional Campaign lossDerek Tran, a compelling candidate with a strong campaign, lost California’s 45th district race to incumbent Michelle Steel. Misleading attacks against Tran went largely unchallenged, overshadowing his message. Reflecting now, I see that we, his supporters, stayed too silent. Next time, we must be louder and more engaged.
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Continue reading →: Revisiting My Pandemic Music Discovery ProjectDuring the 2020 pandemic, I embarked on the Goal 2020 Project: listening to every Billboard Top 100 hit from 1961 onward. Now retired, I’m revisiting, editing, and sharing my reflections on these iconic years of music on Peanuts In My Pocket.
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Continue reading →: Congratulations Dodgers!The Dodgers’ World Series win over the Yankees was a thrill to watch, even for this lifelong Angels fan. From intense moments on the field to unforgettable memories of past games, this series reminded me why sports bring us all together.
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Continue reading →: Why hate on Puerto Ricans?Trump’s divisive rhetoric threatens the diversity that makes America strong. Living in a multicultural community, I’m reminded daily of the beauty in our differences. This election, I’m voting to protect the friends, family, and values that define my America.
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Continue reading →: Music and MemoriesMusic has been a constant in my life, shaping memories and anchoring moments I might otherwise forget. From my uncle introducing me to Alice Cooper to discovering Pink Floyd with my sister, each album is a vivid chapter in my story.
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Continue reading →: Is AI-Authored Fiction a Possibility Yet?Since retiring last November, I’ve been using ChatGPT daily as both a research tool and an editing assistant. I’m working on a novel, though the process presents many challenges. ChatGPT has been invaluable for feedback and editing, and I can see my writing improving, albeit with some tough critiques along…
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Continue reading →: An Unexpected Journey Into Lord of the Rings Calendar LoreYesterday, I sent a perfectly timed _Lord of the Rings_ meme. My wife didn’t get the joke and dismantled it with one logical question: why would Middle-earth use our calendar? As a supposed Tolkien expert, I had no answer—and spent the night obsessing.
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Continue reading →: Hot Dog Fingers and Handwriting WoesReflecting on a lifelong struggle with fine motor skills, I find humor and perseverance in everyday tasks—from cursive writing to photography. Through interactions with my grandson Dean, I explore how I’ve adapted over the years, embracing challenges with a lighthearted perspective and practical solutions.
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Continue reading →: What Ever Happened to Darryl?As I reflect on past friendships, I’m reminded of people like Darryl, a childhood friend whose path eventually diverged from mine. From awkward interactions to strange encounters, reconnecting with old friends has become one of my retirement hobbies—even when the search leads to unexpected memories.
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Continue reading →: In New York You Can Be a New ManMy grandson Dean’s love for _Hamilton_ sparked an unexpected history lesson. We spent time discussing the causes of the Revolutionary War, with Dean explaining taxes and King George using a candy bar analogy. His curiosity reminded me of my own childhood obsessions and the joys of self-directed learning.
Hello,
I’m Joe/Mojoey
Welcome to my blog. Please join me in exploring life after work and other topics of interest. I’m not sure where I am heading with this, but I’m heading somewhere.
Peanuts In My Pocket 